US freight crime hotspots
Cargo theft in the USA is expected to surge over the Labor Day weekend, according to Verisk CargoNet. Analysis of 214 reported thefts from the Thursday before to the Wednesday after Labor Day between 2020 and 2024 shows a escalation, with Friday the highest-risk day.
In 2024 alone, 16 incidents were reported on the Friday before the holiday. California and Texas remain hotspots, accounting for 85 of 214 cases analysed, with San Bernardino and Dallas counties most affected.
Food and beverage loads, including shellfish and pork, are the most targeted, followed by electronics, household appliances and vehicle parts.
Keith Lewis, vice-president of operations at Verisk, warns that 2025 has seen an increase in sophisticated fraud-based theft schemes, with criminal groups acquiring legitimate motor carriers to secure high-value loads before disappearing with them. Reduced staffing and extended closures over the holiday create conditions for heightened risk. (js)